Typhoon ‘Nona’ Slightly Weakens, Makes 4th Landfall in Romblon

Typhoon “Nona” has slightly weakened its strength as it made fourth landfall in Romblon on Tuesday morning, according Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Nona made the third landfall in Burias Island around 9:45 p.m. Monday then the fourth landfall in Banton, Romblon around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday

Aurelio said as of 7 a.m., the eye of Typhoon Nona was located 55 km northwest of Romblon, Romblon (12.9°N, 121.9°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, it is forecast to move west at 15 kph.

Maintaining its speed and movement, Nona is expected to make another landfall in Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday afternoon.

He noted Nona is expected to weaken due to interaction in landmass and also with the presence of cold winds due to the northeast monsoon.

He added the tropical cyclone is expect to exit Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday as a low pressure area.

Meanwhile, public storm warning signal (PSWS) no. 3 (121-170 kph expected in 18 hours) is raised over the provinces of Mindoro including Lubang Island, Marinduque and Romblon.

Public storm warning signal no. 2 (61-120 kph expected in 24 hours) is raised in the provinces of Burias Islands, southern Quezon, Batangas and Calamian Group of Islands in Luzon.

Signal no. 1 (30-60 kph expected in 36 hours) is hoisted in Metro Manila, as well as in the provinces of Masbate including Ticao Island, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Rizal, northern Palawan, Bataan and rest of Quezon in Luzon; Aklan, Capiz, Antique and Iloilo in Visayas.

Storm signals elsewhere have been lifted.

Flash floods and landslides are expected over the areas under signals # 2 and 3, while storm surges of up to 3 meters are possible

The estimated rainfall amount is from heavy to at times intense within the 250-km diameter of the typhoon.

The state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the effects of the typhoon Nona as the sea condition would be rough to very rough due to strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned

For Tuesday forecast, stormy weather will be experienced over Mindoro provinces, Romblon, Marinduque, southern Quezon, Batangas and the islands of Calamian, Burias and Lubang with rough to very rough seas.

Rains with gusty winds is expected over Metro Manila, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Masbate Including Ticao Island, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, rest of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Bataan And Bulacan.

Cloudy skies with light rains is expected over Batanes including Calayan and Babuyan group of islands while light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over the rest of the country.

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to north will prevail over Luzon, Visayas and Eastern Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northwest to west with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC